Speech #1090109731

We. your Memorialists. the Members of the One Hundred and Twentyfirst legislature of the State of Maine now assembled in the Second Special Session. most respectfully present the petition of the President of the United States and the United States Congress. as follows. WHEREAS. the State of Maine recognizes that the Constitution of the United States is our charter of liberty and that the Bill of Rights enshrines the fundamental and inalienable rights of Americans. including the freedoms of religion. speech. assembly. and privacy. and WHEREAS. each of Maines duly elected public serants have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Maine: and WHEREAS. the State of Maine denounces and condemns all acts of terrorism. wherever occurring. and WHEREAS. attacks against Americans such as those that occurred on September 11. 2001 have necessitated the crafting of effective laws to protect the public from terrorist attacks. and WHEREAS. any new security measures of Federal. State. and local governments should be carefully designed and employed to enhance public safety. without infringing on the civil liberties and the rights of any citizens in the State of Maine and the Nation. and WHEREAS. matters relating to immigration are primarily Federal in nature. and WHEREAS. certain provisions of the "Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001." commonly referred to as the USA PATRIOT Act. allow the Federal Government more liberally to detain and investigate citizens and engage in surveillance activities that may violate or offend the rights and liberties guaranteed by our State and Federal Constitutions. now therefore. Be It Resolved: That we. Your Memorialists. on behalf of the people we represent. take this opportunity to inform the President of the United States and the United States Congress that the Maine State Legislature supports the government of the United States of America in its campaign against terrorism and affirms its commitment that the campaign not be waged at the expense of essential civil rights and liberties of citizens of this country contained in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. and be it further Resolved: That the Maine State Legislature urges that the Federal Government to continue to exercise its jurisdiction over immigration matters and encourages the Federal Government to work cooperatively with the States to provide assistance and training to protect our country. and be it further Resolved: That laws passed by the United States Congress to specifically combat the threat of international terrorism should not be used in conducting domestic law enforcement. and be it further Resolved: That the Maine State legislature implores the United States Congress to review the provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act and other measures that may infringe on civil liberties and ensure any pending and future Federal liberties. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Legislature calls upon our United States Representatives and Senators to monitor the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act and related federal actions and. if necessary. repeal those sections of the USA PATRIOT Act and related federal measures that may infringe upon fundamental rights and liberties as recognized in the United States Constitution and its amendments. and be it further resolved that official copies of this resolution. duly authenticated by the Secretary of State. be transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush.